WASHINGTON, DC - Leaders of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) join U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in calling on automakers to provide industry partners access to critical original equipment manufacturers (OEM) part information to identify manufacturers' recalled parts in the automotive parts supply chain. Following a February 11, 2015 hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation, Secretary Foxx, in response to a question submitted by Representative Sam Graves, stated his belief for the hearing record that automakers should provide "parts numbers related to recalls" in an "efficient and easy-to-use format directly to recyclers and others who need the information". Foxx also commented that "this approach would not require the government to be the go-between or require the creation and expense of a new government program to collect and distribute the information."

As you may know, the ARA is an international trade association of automotive recyclers. The ARA services over 1,000 direct member recyclers, as well as approximately 3,500 additional recyclers through affiliated organizations. The ARA does not control or direct the actions of the independent businesses who may be members, but among other things, the ARA aims to further the automotive recycling industry through various services and programs to increase public awareness of the industry's role in conserving the future through automotive recycling and to foster awareness of the industry's value as a high quality, low cost alternative for the automotive consumer.

On February 10, 2015, the ARA initiated class action litigation, on behalf of recyclers nationwide, against Takata and numerous vehicle manufacturers related to the defective Takata airbags that have been subject to numerous recalls. The ARA recommended that its members stop selling the recalled airbags and initiated this litigation with the goal of enabling recyclers to recover fair parts value for the defective airbags. In conjunction with our serving as a class representative in the litigation involving the Takata airbags, when we learned that Hollander and Rebuilders Automotive Supply (RAS) had announced a buy-back program for airbag inflators subject to the American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (“Honda”) recall, we advised our members of such and further advised that we needed more information before we could comment further with respect to participation in the voluntary program. The ARA has since conducted an inquiry into the program’s scope and parameters and, based on that inquiry, it appears that the buyback program was initiated by Honda and is not subject to any Court supervision. The buy-back program appears to be offering recyclers a price for airbags materially lower than the fair parts value.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) applauds the recommendations produced during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s one-day workshop on April 28 during which ARA participated along with leading transportation officials, automotive industry representatives, safety advocates, and researchers to brainstorm ways to achieve a recall completion rate of 100 percent. During the NHSTA event, ARA restated its longstanding position that only with bulk access to recall data, along with OEM parts numbers and build sheet data, will safety stakeholders be able to help NHTSA reach its goal and fulfill its statutory obligations to ensure the safety of the nation's drivers.

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents over 4,500 professional automotive recyclers across the United States and in 14 countries internationally. It is on their behalf that I express disappointment at the flawed reporting and gross mischaracterizations contained in a March 4, 2015 broadcast regarding the utilization of genuine, recycled original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.

ARA believes collision repairers should use their professional training and judgment to make repair decisions based on the individual circumstances surrounding the damaged vehicles, and that all stakeholders involved in the collision repair marketplace should recognize the genuine value, safety and benefits that each repair part option (recycled, new, aftermarket, remanufactured, reconditioned) may provide in a given repair. Your segment repeatedly mixed references, using the terms aftermarket, recycled, remanufactured, and reconditioned interchangeably without informing viewers about important part distinctions. This irresponsible reporting only serves to further confuse the public about the viability of important repair options.

MANASSAS, VA - Today, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is warning consumers about the growing danger of counterfeit automotive parts in the marketplace and urging them to utilize quality, recycled original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts supplied by professional automotive recyclers.

Dear Senator Blumenthal: The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents over 4,500 professional automotive recyclers across the United States and in 14 countries internationally. It is on their behalf that I express serious concern that your recent comments regarding the professional automotive recycling industry during a recent CNN Anderson Cooper 360 broadcast, along with your February 13, 2015 letter to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding automotive insurers, could be taken out of context.]]>http://arav3.timberlakepublishing.com/default.asp?Display=1553http://arav3.timberlakepublishing.com/default.asp?Display=1553admin20150224140214ARA Letter to The Honorable Eric Holder, Attorney General of the United States

February 23, 2015
The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General of the United States
Robert F. Kennedy Building
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Holder:

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents over 4,500 professional automotive recyclers across the United States and in 14 countries internationally. It is on their behalf that I feel compelled to comment on a February 13, 2015 letter addressed to your office from Senator Richard Blumenthal regarding a recent CNN Anderson Cooper 360 segment on automotive insurers and insurer-preferred repair shops. ARA has responded to both CNN and Senator Blumenthal expressing grave concern over their mischaracterizations of recycled, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts sold by professional automotive recycling facilities.

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents over 4,500 professional automotive recyclers across the United States and in 14 countries internationally. It is on their behalf that I express extreme disappointment and frankly surprise at the erroneous reporting displayed in the one-sided segment on insurance repairs that aired February 11, 2015 on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 broadcast. During the piece, it immediately became painfully obvious that CNN's research team is unaware of both the robust automotive parts supply chain that supports an increasing global market and the critical role that recycled original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts play in that market. ARA requests that CNN retract the factually incorrect and misleading statements made about recycled OEM parts in this broadcast.

]]>http://arav3.timberlakepublishing.com/default.asp?Display=1550http://arav3.timberlakepublishing.com/default.asp?Display=1550admin20150209164950ARA Expands Insurance Program with Wells Fargo Insurance Services; Delivers Best Value Benefits to Member Companies

CONTACT: Michael E. Wilson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(571) 208-0428 Date: February 3, 2015

ARA Expands Insurance Program with Wells Fargo Insurance Services;

Delivers Best Value Benefits to Member Companies

MANASSAS, VA - The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is pleased to announce additional company participants in the association’s insurance brokerage program with Wells Fargo Insurance Services. Since 2010, this exclusive member benefit has provided a comprehensive risk management program to members offering affordable, customized insurance solutions. ARA is proud to welcome the addition of several new carriers and the significant expansion of coverage through existing provider Allied, which operates under the Nationwide Insurance umbrella, ensuring that ARA member companies in all 50 states have access to competitive rates offered through the program.